UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Donald Trump during a phone call that applying trade tariffs against NATO allies over Greenland would be the wrong approach.
The discussion followed Trump’s threat to impose 10% tariffs on eight NATO member states, linking the move to security and political issues surrounding Greenland.
In a joint statement, the leaders of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom warned that such measures could trigger a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations among allies.
The statement reaffirmed that all eight countries firmly support the principles of Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite the threat of economic pressure.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe would not accept being subjected to political or economic blackmail.
According to a spokesperson for Keir Starmer, the prime minister emphasized that security in the High North is a shared priority for all NATO allies in safeguarding Euro-Atlantic interests.
Starmer also stressed that imposing tariffs on allies for pursuing NATO’s collective security objectives runs counter to the values and purpose of the alliance.
On the same day, the UK prime minister held separate talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Meanwhile, thousands of people have taken to the streets in Greenland and Denmark to protest against Trump’s plans and the potential pressure on the region.